Haïg Ter-Martirosian shares his conversations with some of the finest jewellers from his native Canada that reveal each one’s unique approach and the values that have guided them to success.
OTTAWA IS THE CAPITAL: HOWARD FINE JEWELLERS
In conversation with Stephanie Appotive, Owner of Howard Fine Jewellers
How has Howard Fine Jewellers’ family legacy shaped the business since 1967?
I think one thing to understand about my father, Howard Appotive, the founder of Howard Fine Jewellers, is how humble he has always been throughout his life.
One value he has consistently advocated for is to be kind to everybody. His philosophy has revolved around leading with kindness and integrity.
This belief system was shared with his daughters, brother, employees, suppliers, and clients from the early days. Our approach is that we never judge a book by its cover. It is unfair to make assumptions about someone without having invested time to get to know them. We are here to first and foremost understand how we can help; this willingness to learn and listen is deeply rooted within our brand DNA.
What sets Howard Fine Jewellers’ bespoke and jewellery offerings apart?
Many assume bespoke commissions are reserved for the affluent, but that’s not always the case. Custom design often attracts sentimental and creatively minded individuals, and our expertise allows us to bring their vision to life. Collaborating with clients on a custom piece is a deeply joyful experience—and it’s incredibly rewarding to help create treasured heirlooms for a family.
Custom design is a collaborative endeavour in artistry—where creative vision meets technical expertise. From this remarkable synergy emerges an heirloom destined to live on for generations within a family.
Our motto is simple: If you can dream it, we can make it. We do not measure dreams by material, design complexity, or price. We ask, “What will make this piece truly special for you and your family?” No request is too small or too grandiose, and we consistently deliver on that promise.
What motivated your expansion into the new Fairmont Château Laurier location, and how does this new setting reflect Howard Fine Jewellers’ values and vision for the future?
What motivated us to expand our current flagship and open a new second location was that we needed more room to deliver our warm and personalised level of service excellence to all of our guests. Our international brand partners — Rolex, Tudor, Fope, Roberto Coin, and others — share our vision of expanding the experience to meet the growing demand in our market.
Our flagship store on Sparks Street, currently undergoing major renovation, will gain a glamorous third floor, catering to our expanded world-class custom factory for bespoke bridal and fine jewellery commissions. As well as our acclaimed service and restoration department, long regarded as a trusted destination for expert care and repair.
Our brand partners will also enjoy newly designed spaces on the first and second floors, inspired by our desire to offer clients a top-tier environment that feels both luxurious and intimate.
The new Howard Fine Jewellers boutique at the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier marks an exciting new chapter—a perfect union of exceptional service and an outstanding guest experience.
It is a true privilege to be part of such a prestigious landmark, welcoming visitors from around the world and introducing them to the timeless elegance of our Canadian brand.
MORE ONTARIAN BEAUTY: KNAR JEWELLERY
In conversation with Jeff Buzbuzian, Co-Founder Knar Jewellery
Can you share the story behind the founding of Knar Jewellery’s and how it evolved into a leading Canadian luxury retail jeweller?
Before founding Knar Jewellery in 1978, my brother Greg and I had years of hands-on experience in our family’s bronze and aluminium foundry, where we learned the beauty of working with metals. Our uncle, a skilled watchmaker, often showed us how to service watches, while his wife—who worked in a jewellery store—sparked our fascination with the craft.
By chance, Greg met a silversmith, inspiring the idea for our first silver jewellery boutique. After six months of planning, we opened a 200-square-foot shop in Guelph, Ontario, naming it Knar—an ancient Armenian word for a type of angelic harp, symbolising artistry and harmony, which is an important part of our lives to this very day.
Greg’s growing passion for gems and my goldsmithing apprenticeship soon led to our first studio and the beginning of a lifelong journey of creating fine jewellery to celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. What began as a modest retail operation gradually blossomed into a thriving presence, marked by the opening of multiple boutiques across Southern Ontario.
How does Knar Jewellery balance classic craftsmanship with the use of advanced technology in design and manufacturing?
Our philosophy has always centred on quality, precision, and design. In our early years, we carved wax models by hand—a process demanding patience and creativity.
Knar has never viewed tradition and technology as opposites. In the early 1990s, we were among Canada’s first jewellers to adopt digital design software, allowing clients to preview concepts before a single gemstone was set—saving time and ensuring precision. We later integrated laser technology and 3D modelling, making our workshop a hub for both custom design and restorations.
Despite these advances, hands-on craftsmanship remains at our core. Quality is more than performance—it is our strategy and guiding principle. Sustainability is equally important, reflected in our ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship, and commitment to social responsibility. Our sustainable practices are focused on making Knar an ethical and environmentally friendly choice for our customers.
For our associates, it’s also a place where trust, transparency, professional training, and education go hand in hand. Since the beginning, we’ve been part of the Kimberley Process and proudly affirm that uncompromised ethics and respect for human values have always been at the heart of our principles.
Knar Jewellery has a longstanding relationship with Rolex—any recent milestones from this collaboration you are particularly proud of?
Our relationship with Rolex has been nothing short of exceptional. Since 1998, we’ve shared a deep commitment to excellence, precision, and enduring value—for both our customers and our team. Rolex has contributed immeasurably to our growth as a jeweller, serving as one of Knar’s finest educators and most trusted partners.
Their trust has enabled Knar Jewellery to be recognised as a member of the select group of jewellers designated as an Official Rolex after-sales service centre. This recognition once again enhances the experience we provide to our valued clients.
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With additional boutiques—including the original Guelph flagship and a location in Toronto—Knar Jewellery continues to serve as a beacon of quality and generosity, championing community initiatives and nurturing relationships that span generations.
MADE IN MONTRÉAL: KAUFMANN DE SUISSE
In conversation with Charles Kaufman, President
Can you share the story behind the founding of Kaufmann de Suisse and what the future holds?
Kaufmann de Suisse was founded in 1954 by my father, Emil Pius Kaufmann, a Swiss-born master jeweller, goldsmith, and gemologist who settled in Montreal after nearly a decade of training in Switzerland. From the outset, his vision was simple yet uncompromising: to create jewellery of lasting beauty and integrity.
He built the brand upon Swiss precision and Canadian artistry—an enduring union that soon gained international acclaim. His pursuit of excellence earned six Diamonds International Awards, among the highest honours in our craft.
Every creation was conceived to last a lifetime and beyond, and since day one, we’ve crafted each piece entirely in-house, preserving the meticulous standards my father established. That commitment continues to define us today.
We also take pride in our four-decade partnership with Patek Philippe—an enduring alliance founded on mutual excellence. Recently, we completed a full restoration of our 19th-century Crescent Street flagship, unveiling a VIP lounge that blends vintage elegance with modern sophistication.
What is your nonpareil approach to design and craftsmanship?
The right way to make fine jewellery is to start with the stone. When you find a beautiful diamond or precious gem, you ask yourself: how can we honour it? You don’t begin with a setting and then try to fit the stone into it—that’s not how fine jewellery is made.
For me, each creation begins with emotional connection; I must love it myself before anyone else sees it. I oversee every step alongside our master jewellers, watching each handmade piece come to life, because every one carries, as I like to say, ‘a little more soul.’
Our signature, Flowing Lines, embodies the fluid grace of Art Nouveau style re‑imagined for the modern era . The technique creates natural, curved shapes that flow seamlessly through every design. Recently, we’ve introduced flexible structures to enhance comfort without compromising beauty—an innovation that reflects our constant dialogue between classic craftsmanship and modern living.
That artistic conviction can be risky; not all haute joaillerie sells immediately. But every one‑of‑a‑kind piece holds a pulse of inspiration worth preserving. Also, we partner only with trusted sources in maintaining sustainability and responsible supply, because true luxury should honour both artistry and ethics.
What made the partnership with Canadian race car driver Erika Hoffmann special, and how has it influenced your brand?
Much like the exceptional women who’ve shaped the fabulous world of jewellery design, such as Suzanne Belperron, our partnership marked a breakthrough in Erika’s inspiring journey surpass barriers in motorsports.
Her determination felt akin to the spirit of Kaufmann de Suisse—driven, precise, and full of grace under pressure . We first met through a mutual client who jokingly called her ‘the diamond in the rough,’ and when she visited our Montreal flagship, that very moment sparked the idea and inspiration for creating our 1-of-1 Track Bracelet exclusively for her.
My wife and art director, Georgia, designed it in her honour. The final result is a handcrafted statement piece in Argentium silver with a moving round bezel diamond capturing her energy on the track. Creating this piece was deeply symbolic—it beautifully bridged the worlds of high‑performance motorsport and artisan jewellery. Today, Erika serves as our brand ambassador, and we could not be more thrilled.
Through partnerships like this and through every unique creation, Kaufmann de Suisse continues to weave together art, innovation, and the enduring pursuit of beauty — unmistakably Canadian beauty.
